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Dual registrations via Little Athletics opened back on August 1st. We thank those who have specified Athletics Wollongong as their Senior Club. If you’re concerned that you’re yet to hear from us regarding your registration, the import of member records from the Little A’s system to Athletics NSW’s is yet to occur. Consequently, we don’t know who has registered with us as a Dual yet at this point.
The first import was scheduled to occur yesterday, with subsequent imports set to happen ahead of major Championship dates. This is a little sparser than what occurred last season so people may have to check with us before contesting our Wednesday meets, lest your performances don't count for points/records. Note that if you didn’t specify a Senior Club during your registration you can contact your Little Athletics Registrar to update your record *but* once your data is exported, then any future changes won’t be propagated to ANSW’s system; you’ll have to contact the ANSW office for them to update your Senior Club affiliation (which is the same procedure to follow if any of your Little A’s friends were silly enough not to pick AW and want to change to us!)
Registrations for everyone else opened on September 2nd. Unfortunately for those intending to apply their free $100 ActiveKids voucher towards their rego costs, you still can’t do so online. You’ll need to follow the procedure HERE (and also include the type of membership you wish to purchase).
Speaking of membership types, there’s been a bit of streamlining since last Season. The Concession membership also now covers the “Youth” and “Junior” categories of yesteryear (i.e. it’s the one to pick if you’re under 20 and wish to compete in ANSW Championships). The Family rego is also no longer in the console but a Family Rebate now exists. Further info on this is currently very limited: all we know is that it’s valid when there are four or more registrations and that applicants have to contact the ANSW office for claim processing.
You can register online with Athletics Wollongong HERE now. Note that this is a new system without member records carrying over from previous years. Consequently, even if you’re returning, don’t click “Renew”: it quietly fails. Click the “Register” button instead.
Finally: your 2018/19 registration lasts until September 30th. If you compete with us after this time you either need a 2019/20 membership or to fill in and bring along a Trialling Athlete form to any Wednesday meet you contest (limited to 2 occasions).
The Club Newsletter is distributed via the registration system. The bulk of our mailing list however exists on the old rego system. At some point in the future we will undoubtedly lose access to this resource and there is no easy means to move our contacts from there to the new system. If you would like to continue receiving the AWesome Tales Athletics Wollongong newsletter, we recommend registering with us for Season 2019/20. Do it for FREE by selecting the “Club Volunteer” option. It doesn’t give eligibility to compete, but you’ll be able to continue your association with Athletics Wollongong and hear all our good news.
Bringing together athletes from all of the various school systems, the NSW All Schools Championships are one of the biggest events on the track and field calendar. Entries close for this year’s All Schools at 9am Wednesday (tomorrow) so if you’re yet to enter: get in quick! Some of our members are having tremendous success at their respective carnivals; keep abreast of their achievements in our Facebook group and – don’t forget – if you’re competing yourself, forward your results to Dave Ross for inclusion in our column in the Advertiser & Lake Times.
It’s only four more weeks until Athletics Wollongong’s Wednesday meets kick off again! For those who missed the news in the last newsletter, the competition calendar has been released, along with the events to be contested each round. The order of events (along with any changes made necessary due to age group sizes) will be posted to the Facebook group on the weekend prior to each Wednesday.
If you’re new to our Wednesday competition please know that it is very relaxed and social. Tough competition is there for those who seek it - with athletes free to run against whoever will challenge them, for example - but our real focus is on participation and encouragement. We endeavour to make that participation as painless as possible: there’s no need to pre-register for events or wear a uniform. For more practical information on how Wednesdays work, your best bet is having a read of AW’s 2019/20 Membership Guide: The Red Book.
Our Bunnings BBQ, raising funds for athlete support, is set for the Wollongong store on October 26th. We’re keen to start collecting names of helpers, so if you can spare 2 hours between 8:30am and 4:30pm contact us now! Note that if you intend to apply for financial assistance this season there is a requirement to assist at a Club fundraising event. Why not this one?! Get it out of the way before there are any clashes with major competitions!
Anthony Howlett headed to sunny Mackay to contest the Oceania Masters Athletics Championships. His baggage was a little heavier on the return leg on account of the medals he collected there: one gold, four silver and one bronze. Well done!
Congratulations also go to Adriana Van Bockel who took her new knees to Mackay on holiday and proved invaluable at the event as both an official and medic.
The National titles were held locally at Brownsville, with Athletics Australia providing a thoughtful nod to former AW and KJs member, the sadly departed Kerryn McCann. Her memory and competitive feats were honoured with a new medal in her name being presented to the Open Women’s winner. While AW didn’t have any competitors in that division, two others were in the mix: Charlize Colwell finished 4th in the 12 years Para Girls and Alec Morrisby contested the U14 Boys. Nice work!
Athletics Wollongong’s own Winter Competition has come to a conclusion. Held as part of the parkrun series of events, members’ performances were compared to age-graded standards; their six highest percentages averaged to determine their score. Winning overall – for the second year running – was Teresha Moxham with 72.04%, just edging out Ros Perry’s 70.98%. Of those who competed last year, the Most Improved Male was Ron Perry and the Most Improved Female was Ros. Each of our winners will receive a Rebel Sport voucher.
Special mention must be made of Des Comer: he didn’t miss a single Saturday morning run during the competition period! Asides from the local parkruns, members also competed at Bowral, Picton, Camden, Moree, Inverell and Yamba. Parkrun continues year-round, so register (for free) and set your sights on contesting our Winter Competition next year.
The Rebel Sport loyalty program, rebel active, is a way you can give back to Athletics Wollongong: just by making purchases you were going to make anyhow. Upon joining, each time you purchase anything at Rebel, the Club will receive 5% of your purchase price in store credit. Note that AW can’t determine who’s doing the buying - nor what’s been bought – as your purchases remain private. We can use any funds raised to buy equipment for the Club or prizes for our members (see above!). Just quote ‘Athletics Wollongong’ at the checkout.
Athletes progressing through school carnivals, or perhaps those with a view towards the upcoming season, could gain great benefit from coaching. You needn’t be a superstar to be coached; you just have to hold an interest in personal improvement. Athletics Wollongong is affiliated with coaches of all disciplines. See the list on the Club website and begin the journey of becoming the best version of your athletic self, today!
11th September, Sydney Schools Nitro Challenge, SOPAC
15th September, NSW Marathon Championships, Milsons Point to Opera House
17th September, Schools Relays, SOPAC
18th – 23rd September, 10-12yrs School Sport Australia Athletics Champs, Darwin
26th – 29th September, NSW All Schools Championships, SOPAC
9th October, AW’s Wednesday Meets return
26th October, Wollongong Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser
Email Dave Ross at davidrosswollongong@hotmail.com with athletics results to include in our regular Wollongong Advertiser & Lake Times column. Send other enquiries to athleticswollongong@gmail.com.
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